PANAMA CITY BEACH − A Jimmy Buffett-themed community on the Beach already has sold thousands of homes with no signs of slowing down.
According to Brian Cale, vice president of land development for Margaritaville, more than 2,300 homes in Latitude Margaritaville Watersound have closed since its properties hit the market in June 2021. About 200 more homes are actively under construction.
Geared toward residents at least 55 years old, the resort is located off State 79, north of Panama City Beach. It is being developed through a partnership between the St. Joe Company, Minto Communities USA and Margaritaville Holdings.
“We were ranked No. 1 in the county for active adult communities for sales from referrals,” Cale said. “We get more sales from our existing homeowners than anybody else, and that tells the story right there. People love living here.”
Past reports note the community’s first phase of development included plans for 3,500 homes, with room in the surrounding area for additional phases. Cale said he now expected there to be about 3,700 homes in the first wave.
“We continue to talk with St. Joe … about where we’re going to go next,” Cale said. “We’re already planning layouts and amenity centers and things in future land.”
The Bay County community is the third Latitude Margaritaville community, with others in Daytona Beach and Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The local Latitude has at least five home collections ranging from 1,210 square feet to 4,048 square feet. They are: Conch Cottage Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, Beach and Island collection of single-family homes, and Vista Collection of two-story luxury homes.
Surrounding the Intracoastal Waterway, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound also offers a variety of amenities for residents, including a full-size concert stage for live music, a two-story Latitude Bar & Chill with a rooftop bar, a lagoon-style pool and a fitness center.
“The character of the community has really developed,” Cale said. “It’s positive. It’s active. And, people really enjoy living there. … It’s really become a good community.”
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Latitude Margaritaville Watersound has sold more than 2,300 homes
Reporting by Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
